Fuse device



Aug."29, 1933. K. TSUKAMQTQ FUSE DEVICE Filed Nov. 8, 1932 ZJYVENTDR Kal-GHI TSUKHMOTO. BX WM lPatented Aug. 29, 1933 PATENT OFFICE FUSE DEVICE Koichi Tsukamoto, Paia, Territory of Hawaii Application November 8, 1932.

(Cl. 20o-426) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in fuse devices and has particular reference to the automatic replacement of a blown fuse.

The principal object of the invention is to provide means whereby when a fuse is blown, a new fuse will be inserted in the fuse clips of the circuit automatically through the blowing action of the first fuse.

A further object is to produce a device which may be incorporated in any electrical circuit.

A further object is to produce a device which is economical to manufacture.

A still further object is to produce a device wherein a signal will be given as soon as the first fuse has blown.

ther objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part v of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a fuse box partly broken away to show my device installed therein,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the fuse box with the cover removed,

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the cover and fuse supporting arms, a portion of the cover being broken away to show the signal,

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of my device showing a portion of the fuse box broken away,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail side elevation of one of the fuse members,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view showing the operation of the signalling mechanism, and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view of the release mechanism.

At the present time when a fuse blows in a circuit it is often caused by a momentary overload and therefore if a new fuse could be installed in the circuit the new fuse would be ample to carry the normal current. However, it is usually necessary to rst proceed to the fuse box and to then ascertain which fuse has been blown, and to remove this fuse and replace it with another. It is often difficult to locate which is the blown fuse and further it means the handling of live-wires or at least bringing the hands into close proximity with live-wires, which when done y in the dark is always dangerous. If this is not done it then becomes necessary to first pull the main switch which often darkens a large area of a building, thus interfering with the normal activities of the occupants of the building. Applicant has devised a fuse system wherein as soon as one fuse blows out, due to a passing overload,

Serial No. 641,769

a new fuse will be moved into place so as to reestablish the circuit.

In the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration shown a preferred emu bodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 desig- 60 nates a fuse box and the numeral 6 a cover therefor. This cover is hinged as at 7 to the box 5 which box is preferably supported to a wall or other structure through the medium of fastening elements passing through openings 8. Mounted within the box 5 are bus bars 9 and 11 having fuse clips 12 and 13, respectively. These bus bars 9 and 11 are connected to line wires 14 and 16, respectively, in the customary manner. Mounted upon the door 6 are arms 17 and 18 (see Fig. 4). These arms are so positioned that their extremities are in vertical alignment with the clips 12 and 13. The numeral 21 designates the main fuse or cartridge having metal ends 22, which engage the clips 12 and 13. A fuse wire 23 extends from one clip at one end of the cartridge to the clip at the opposite end. This fuse wire passes through a glass tube 24 which extends through the cartridge and has its lower end engaging an arm 26 which arm is pivoted as at 27 to the door 6 and has a rod 28 extending upwardly parallel to the door 6 and into a guide box 29. A spring 31 contacts the guide box 29 and also a stop 32 provided on the rod 28. A spring 25 also assists in pressing the arm 26 against the end of the glass tube. By viewing Figs. 1 and 3, it will be noted that a clip 30 serves to support the cartridges from being lifted by the action of the springs 25 and 31.

The numeral 33 designates an auxiliary fuse cartridge similar in construction to that just described for 2l, with the exception that the glass tube is eliminated. This cartridge 33 has its medial portion held in a clamp 34 secured to a rod 36 having a notched end 37, which notched end extends through the box 29. A spring 38 extends between the clamp 34 and the box 29. A ring 39 is secured to the cover 6 so that the cover may be swung upon its hinge to gain access to the interior of the box. A signal arm is shown at 41 and is pivoted within a slot formed in the door 6 and has a lever 42 which is adapted to be contacted by the downward movement of the end of the rod 28.

The operation of my device is as follows:-

Assuming that the same has been installed in a circuit and an excessive overload comes upon the circuit, the fuse wire within the cartridge 21 will blow out with the result that the glass tube 24 will be shattered, thus relieving the lever i io 26 and spring 25 permitting it to swing upon its pivot 27 through the action of the spring 31 pushing downwardly on the rod 28. This draws the end of the rod 28 out of one of the grooves 37 and permits the spring 38 to function to push the auxiliary cartridge 33 into its clip and to thus re-establish a circuit therethrough. The downward movement of the rod 28 will have caused the signal rod 41 to move to a visible position. Any convenient means may be employed for holding the cartridges in their proper vertical alignment so that they will slide into proper position in their clips such as, for instance, a pin riding upon the support arms 17 and 18. As soon as the person sees the signal exposed, he will naturally replace the blown fuse with a new fuse and return the auxiliary fuse to its inoperative position so that the device will again be ready to function, should a blowout occur. Should a permanent overload occur upon the line, it is obvious that both the main cartridge and auxiliary cartridge will blow out in succession, after which current will be interrupted until the case of the overload has been determined and new cartridges placed in the device. The signal, however, will indicate the circuit in which this permanent overloading has occured.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various `changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:-

1. In a device of the character described, a; fuse box having a pair of spaced clips positioned therein, a hinged cover for said fuse box, supporting arms secured to said cover, said arms being in alignment with said clips whereby a cartridge positioned in said arms may be moved into engagement with said clips, a fuse cartridge supported by certain of said arms and engaging one of said pairs of clips to complete an electrical circuit, an auxiliary fuse cartridge supported by the other of said arms, a clamp engaging said auxiliary cartridge, a rod extending from said clamp and extending into a supporting box, spring means interposed between said clamp and said box, and a releasing mechanism interposed between said first mentioned fuse and said rod whereby the blow-out of said rst mentioned fuse cartridge will release said rod whereby said spring will force said auxiliary cartridge into certain of said clips to complete an electric circuit.

2. In a device of the character described, a pair of fuse cartridges, one of said cartridges having a glass tube extending therethrough and having the fuse wire positioned within said tube, said cartridge serving to complete an electric circuit, a lever engaging one end of said glass tube and capable of actuating a release mechanism for said second mentioned cartridge, and means for supporting said second mentioned cartridge whereby when said release mechanism is actuated said second mentioned cartridge will engage clips electrically connected to a circuit having said rst mentioned cartridge included therein.

KOICHI TSUKAMOTO. 

